FOR THE QUEEN’S CORONATION, 28 April 1533 (Egerton MS. 985, f. 57 b)

This is a list of items prepared for Anne’s coronation. The handwriting belongs to a clerk, as Cromwell took time to prepare for the coronation celebration, as the main items needed were jewels from the Jewel-House and money from the Exchequer, both of which he commanded, and fabric for clothing and decoration was so in demand that supplies ran short, and Cromwell’s connections in the industry kept the cloth coming. Anne’s coronation took place on 1 June, but Cromwell only received the the Convocation of Canterbury’s officially rulings declaring Anne’s marriage to Henry valid a few days before the event. Crowmell had to plan the event in the hope that Thomas Cranmer would be able to push through the ruling that Katharine of Aragon’s marriage to the king was void and that Anne Boleyn could be the queen. The pair worked furiously through May to make everything happen.

For the Quenes coronacion

To appoint the day for the coronation, and to prepare all things for the same.

Letters from the King to be sent to the nobles, lords, knights, ladies, and others to attend, and to those who will be created knights of the Bath, whose names Garter is to have.

Commissions to be made for the Great Steward and Constable.

The day when the Steward shall sit in the White Hall.

All noble men who hold land by service royal to bring in their claims.

The mayor, aldermen, commoners, and crafts(men) of London are to meet the Queen before she comes to the Tower.

The King will meet her at the Tower. A kirtle and mantle (coat) of cloth of gold furred with ermines.

A lace of silk and gold with tassels for the mantle.

A circlet of gold garnished with precious stones.

A litter of timber covered with cloth of gold.

Down pillows covered with cloth of gold, for the litter.

A lady appointed by name to bear her train.

The mayor, aldermen, and crafts(men) of London are to do their service accustomed, and the streets between the Tower and Westminster are to be garnished with tapestry, arras, silk, and the banners, standard, and pennons of crafts to be ready to garnish the barges and stand where the wardens be of each occupation.

The Lords, the High Steward, Constable of England, Garter, the Mayor of London, and the two squires of honour to be in crimson velvet and beket hats.

The tipstaves (court officers) of the marshals in their liveries, to avoid the press of people.

A canopy of gold with valance to be borne by 16 knights.

Two esquires of honour to be appointed to represent the dukes of Normandy and Aquitaine.

A horse of estate, saddled, to be led by the Master of the Queen’s horse.

Six henchmen on palfreys harnessed with cloth of gold.

Two chairs covered with cloth of gold, and ladies of the highest estate to sit in them, clothed in crimson velvet.

Six ladies on palfreys with saddles and harness like those of the henchmen.

Two other chairs richly garnished for the Queen’s ladies.

A great number of ladies and gentlewomen on palfreys dressed according to their estates.

A void to be prepared for the Queen at Westminster.

A kirtle and mantle of purple velvet furred with ermines, with a lace, for the day of the coronation.

A circlet.

A cloth of estate in Westminster Hall.

The procession. A ray (striped) cloth to go from the Hall to Westminster.

A canopy borne by the barons of the Cinque Ports.

Two bishops to go every (either) side of the Queen.

The verge (symbolic rod) of ivory to be borne.

The sceptre.

A rich crown of gold.

Liveries to be given according to the precedents of the Wardrobe.

The archbishop of Canterbury to do as appertains.

The seat royal or pulpit to be dressed with cloth of gold and cushions.

The Queen to be howseled (receive the Eucharist), and after to have secret refection (refreshment) of such meat as she likes best.

A stage to be made, latticed, and covered with rich cloths, for the King and others to see the solemnity.

The mayor, aldermen, and commoners of London, with their crafts, to meet the Queen before she comes to the Tower.

The King to meet her and welcome her at the Tower.

The service to the Queen at dinner, and the ordering of the hall, to be committed to those who have authority.

A stage in Westminster Hall for minstrels and trumpets.

The kings of arms, heralds, and pursuivants to keep their accustomed stage at the right end of the table, and to have a cloth on the table with proper service.

The Treasurer and Comptroller to go on foot, and the three high estates of Constable, Marshal, and Steward, on horseback, their horses trapped.

A stage on the left side of the Hall latticed and garnished for the King.

The surnap (handwashing napkin), and who shall draw it, the marshal to be named.

The void after.

The Mayor to bear the cup of gold. Jousts and tourneys.

To appoint the number of challengers and defenders for the jousts, to go before the Queen from the Tower to Westminster Hall on their steering horses, garnished with bells and devices.

The Lord Steward, Treasurer, and Comptroller must give warning overnight to those who shall do any service.

CROMWELL’S REMEMBRANCES TO THE KING, April 1533 (MSS Titus, B.I. 422)

On the back of a letter listing the King’s demands to the Merchants of the Staple (saying their due bills and new taxes on wool from Calais), Cromwell scribbled down a few more remembrances to discuss directly with King Henry. It’s a a short list with massive implications for the royal family. Cromwell would take some of his busier to-do lists to the king and have Henry sign them, so there could be no debate whether the king was acting on Henry’s instructions or not. A simple method that provided great security. 

Remember the judgment to be prepared for the King’s great matter.

Item, for the dispatch of my lord of Norfolk.

Item, the bill for the succession, and to rest upon the same.

For to devise for the coronation, and to see presentiments (possible foreboding feelings) for the same.

Item, to devise for lands for the Queen (Anne)

Item, for the establishment of the Dowager (Queen Katharine)

Cromwell’s ledgers are printed in full in The Letters and Remembrances of Thomas Cromwell